The charges are that between 1 September 1974 and 31 December 1974 he [Stuart Hall] indecently assaulted a woman who was then aged 16 or 17 years, that between 1 January 1983 and 31 December 1983 he indecently assaulted a girl then aged eight or nine years, and that between 1 July 1984 and 27 September 1984 he indecently assaulted a girl then aged 13 years.

Former heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali (L) and former world title contender Henry Cooper (R) with Stuart Hall in 1984 Credit: PA/PA Wire

Mr Hall has been a familiar face and voice in British broadcasting for half a century and was this year awarded an OBE in the New Year Honours.

His eccentric and erudite football match summaries have made him a cult figure on BBC Radio 5 Live.

Hall has been bailed to appear before magistrates in Preston on January 7 2013.